Four-Time Champion Americans Keep Head Coach

ALLEN, TX – The Jack Gulati era in Allen has gotten off to a rather inauspicious start. First, he allowed head coach Steve Martinson to “shop around,” and now, he’s catching flack for a possible name change.

But on Thursday, he appeared to have quelled the biggest issue among the Americans’ fan base. Martinson and Gulati have agreed to a four-year contract extension that will keep him in the Dallas-Fort Worth area through the 2020-21 season.

“Steve (Martinson) is one of the top coaches in hockey and we recognize that,” said Allen Americans Owner Jack Gulati. “He has a lot of work to do in the coming weeks to bring another championship to Allen. Fans, you asked for long-term deal for Coach Martinson, and I’m happy to grant your wish. Now I need your help to put more butts in the seats.”

Martinson has won 10 championships in his 20 years behind the bench, and only failed to make the league playoffs once. In his 20 years of coaching, in four different leagues, Martinson has 941 wins behind the bench with 214 of those wins coming with Allen.

This year, he has led the defending Kelly Cup Champions from worst in the division in November to possibly winning a Brabham Cup this weekend. At worst, the Americans will be a top-2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs when they open up next week at home.

“I’m extremely pleased to be staying with the Americans,” said Martinson. “My family really likes it here so I want to thank Jack (Gulati) personally for making it happen. Now it’s time to focus on the upcoming playoffs.”

The Sin Bin’s Barry Janssen will have much more on this Friday morning.